New research reveals airborne mercury from unregulated gold mining is contaminating African food crops directly through the leaves, not the soil, as previously thought. This urgent finding shows plants are "breathing in" a neurotoxin, raising urgent concerns for food security and human health in communities reliant on local agriculture.

A new study has revealed how pear trees use a hidden layer of RNA communication to defend themselves against fungal infection. Scientists discovered that a long non-coding RNA named MSTRG.32189 forms a regulatory network with PcmiR399b and PcUBC24 to control phosphate levels and disease resistance. Acting like a molecular decoy, MSTRG.32189 fine-tunes the plant’s internal balance between nutrition and immunity. When its expression decreases during infection, the pear’s defense system activates, boosting resistance through increased phosphate accumulation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling. This finding offers a new window into how plants coordinate nutrient metabolism with immune protection.

A new study has assembled the first high-quality chromosome-level genome of Acer pentaphyllum, one of the world’s most endangered and ornamental maples. The findings reveal how the species’ genome adapted to the harsh dry-hot valleys of western China through expansions and positive selection of genes related to photosynthesis, plant hormone signaling, and pathogen defense. Population genomic analyses across 28 wild populations uncovered low genetic diversity, high inbreeding, and accumulation of harmful mutations, especially at range edges. These results provide essential genetic insights for guiding conservation planning and genetic rescue of this critically endangered species.

A team of researchers has developed a powerful new method to measure how much carbon mango orchards can store, using artificial intelligence and satellite imagery. Their approach could help farmers and policymakers better understand the role of fruit trees in tackling climate change.

The curious can now also explore the historical documents of the nation’s biggest trees dating back to the 1940s online, in one place, for the first time. The National Champion Tree Program at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has compiled historical records dating back to the program’s inception.

FAU Harbor Branch researchers have received the prestigious 2025 Responsible Seafood Innovation Award in Aquaculture from the Global Seafood Alliance for its Queen Conch Lab’s pioneering work in sustainable aquaculture. Researchers developed mobile lab hatcheries – trailer-based systems that support queen conch restoration in Caribbean communities lacking traditional infrastructure. These mobile hatcheries help rebuild wild conch populations while creating local opportunities in education, employment, and food security. FAU was recognized for its innovative approach to address the urgent decline of a species vital to the region’s ecosystems and economies.